That said in addition to the Color Chart is there any info per size boat on Sail number per year. I'm trying to figure out it this 16 sail #44157 is a "78 Orange Crusher" or a "79 Nationals Orange" or something else???

For example were H16 sails #44,000 - 50,000 from a certain year???

Cork Guy

There are no records remaining of what sails numbers were used when. The only guides are dated photos from the time period and personal experience.

There were only a very few 79 Nationals Orange boats built. The sails would be identical to an "Orange Crusher" with the exception of the sail numbers. In general, the Nationals sails were sequential, with the numbers starting at XX001. Most Nationals had ~50 boats, so the numbers went from XX001 to XX050

If you look closely at the sail pattern chart, you'll notice that the Nationals boats have sail numbers. They are the actual sail numbers used for that event. The '79 Nationals boats used the sail numbers 52001 - 52050, so I can definitively say that sail is not one of the '79 Nationals ones.

Only some '78 and '79 sails had the extra large sail numbers (Orange Crusher was one).

I know that this would be a big decision on Hobie's part and maybe that isn't the direction they are wanting to head. This is just me talking, but I see Hobie focusing more on the rotomolded cats and kayaks much more than the fiberglass cats. If the goal is to bring another generation of sailors into the sport, then the fast, exhilarating, wet, and wild Hobie 16 needs to stay at the forefront. It seems to me that the Hobie 16 has been put on the back burner. If newer sail designs were offered, maybe more people would be interested in buying new boats and the Hobie 16 would become more popular again. Like I said, this is just how I see it. Just a little constructive criticism.

Well said! I really hope that Hobie reads these forums and listens... I couldn't agree more... Hobie needs to pick it up in this country. Hobie cat Europe are on the ball. The Hobie Youth scene is huge. They have so many really cool sail colors Europe that are vibrant and appealing - why are we stock with 2 or 3 color options?

I agree with Hobisrock... The new format for the Americas Cup is going to generate a lot of interest in cats and make cat sailing cool again. Hobie should jump at the opportunity and start marketing accordingly. When was the last time anybody saw an advert for a Hobie 16 in a magazine? When last were you on a website, when a Hobie Cat advert popped up?

There are so many ways to reach people now with the internet and with Facebook, it's just a case of having a plan and executing it... Come on Hobie - rise like the phoenix!

16's are great boats. I bought two new ones over the years along with a 20. I bought my first new 16 is '81. Out the door with trailer, harnesses, and a few other items was $1,700.

The problem these days is the entry price. 16s, and this is just the boat price, are around $10,000. Pretty steep for a young newbie. That also might explain why there are so many posters that are scrounging up '70's and '80's boats and trying to repair them.

The price level is not Hobie's fault. They have to pay through the nose for materials which never seem to drop in price.

The entry point for cats has been reduced with the rotomolded boats. The Wave is approximately half the price of a 16.

You ask if Hobie monitors these forums. Of course they do. But, they also pay very close attention to what's selling. If they flood their sales channels with 16s and they sit on a lot gathering dust because of the price, then the dealers won't buy any more boats and Hobie, eventually, won't make any more boats.

The market drives what's being offered. If all the restorers cracked open their wallets for a new 16 you might see a renewed interest by the factory in increasing their support.

You got a screaming deal on that boat. Even inflation adjusted, that's only $4,100.

Totally! I bought it from a dealer in Foster City, CA. They were set up on one of the lagoons with a launch ramp and dry storage. Their primary business was small boats like Sabots and El Toros. They were trying to move up the food chain and were cutting some really good deals.

Bring back some of the old patterns!!! Sail color was what sold me on my '83 16 Tsunami. I know that in a shrinking market, there are economic considerations, but the sails seem to be getting more bland- throwback to the '70's?